Pardon Our Dust
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Agriculture
EIN NEWS: Troxler announces funding available to help reduce flooding in local communities
A total of $38 million dollars is now available for a new program in North Carolina that aims to reduce flooding across the state’s waterways. The N.C. General Assembly approved the money to create the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP). It allocates money for projects that protect and restore the integrity of drainage infrastructure.
Economic Development
FOX 8: ‘Project Thunderbird’ announcement scheduled for Wednesday at PTI
State officials are planning a major economic development announcement for Wednesday at Piedmont Triad International Airport to announce to welcome a new airplane manufacturer that has been called “Project Thunderbird.” The event is scheduled for 2 p.m., sources close to the effort have told WGHP, and Gov. Roy Cooper, NC Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders, Senate Leader Phil Berger and NC House Speaker Tim Moore are among those expected to attend.
Education
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge to Affirmative Action at Harvard and U.N.C.
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina are lawful, putting the fate of affirmative action in higher education at risk.
TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: NC community colleges seek $244M budget hike with priority on salaries
The increase would raise the system’s faculty salaries to the projected average of peer systems in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
THE TIMES NEWS: North Carolina “school choice” proclamation first by Democrat Cooper
Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed “North Carolina School Choice Week” for the first time since the Democrat took over the job more than five years ago. The proclamation for “choice week,” which began Sunday, is interesting given Cooper has raised issues over expanding the number of charter schools.
Elections
WBTV: N.C. governor, AG urge state Supreme Court to ensure fair elections in redistricting cases
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein filed an amicus brief in two cases currently before the North Carolina Supreme Court urging the court to ensure that state elections are conducted under fair maps that are free from partisan gerrymandering.
WRAL: New election dates and opponents bring candidates new campaign challenges
For a few political candidates in North Carolina, a delay in the primary elections was welcome news. It offered more time to boost their name recognition and potentially improve their chances of winning.
Environment
COASTAL REVIEW: NC Commerce announces new clean energy role
Jennifer Mundt, who has experience as a legislative analyst and policy executive, has been selected to serve as assistant secretary for the North Carolina Commerce’s clean energy economic development. North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced Wednesday the “important new role at the state’s lead agency for economic development.” Mundt’s appointment became effective Jan. 10.
Government
WRAL: NC Republicans vote to delay 2022 primary elections
North Carolina’s primary elections would move from May to June under a bill advanced by state Republicans Wednesday in a pair of party-line votes.
Gov. Roy Cooper has expressed concern with the bill and may veto it.
CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS: How ARPA funds are reaching local governments in Western NC
As with many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the legislation providing recovery funds to local governments, is complicated.
Since every North Carolina county — and many cities and towns — has received or will receive ARPA funds, Carolina Public Press is taking a look at how and where many of them are allocating and spending the money
Healthcare
WRAL: Cooper pivoting away from mandates as pandemic stresses hospital systems
In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper shut down public schools, closed bars and gyms, limited indoor dining capacity, imposed a statewide mask mandate and implemented strict indoor and outdoor gathering limits—all in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
WLOS: Asheville health care team honored for its work with COVID-19 patients
The North Carolina Healthcare Association recognized the Mission Hospital ECMO team with the Healthcare Hero award. The team helped save the lives of some of the sickest COVID-19 patients using an ECMO, a machine that takes over temporarily for the lungs and heart, circulating blood outside the body.
Politics
WFAE: North Carolina Supreme Court to rule on GOP maps. Here is what to know
Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly drew a Congressional map last year that gives them a clear advantage in 9 of the state’s 14 Congressional seats. They are favored in a 10th seat. Democrats are heavy favorites in 3 seats and a slight lean in 1.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Republican U.S. Senate candidates unite, targeting fellow candidate on the rise in polls
With just a few months left until North Carolina’s U.S. Senate primary, two Republican candidates stepped up their attacks on a third endorsed by former President Donald Trump and steadily moving up in the polls.
Transportation
ENERGY NEWS: N.C. governor’s climate order marks a turning point on transportation
A lofty climate executive order issued by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper this month shows just how quickly expectations for plug-in electric vehicles are changing — and how urgent the need to clean up the transportation sector has become.